17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,(A) does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God[a] and thus cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.

The Purpose of the Law

19 Why, then, was the law given?(B) It was added for the sake of transgressions[b] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels(C) by means of a mediator.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:17 Other mss add in Christ
  2. 3:19 Or because of transgressions

17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(A) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(B) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(C) until the Seed(D) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(E) and entrusted to a mediator.(F)

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